Word
innovate
Phoneticsin·no·vate, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈɪnəˌveɪt/
UK/ˈɪnəvˌeɪt/
Definitions
01to introduce new ideas
B2 · Upper Intermediate Academic
v. to do something in a new way or create new things.
v. to introduce new methods, ideas, or products. Often used intransitively to describe a general culture of creativity.
“The company needs to innovate if it wants to stay ahead of its competitors.”
“To remain competitive in the global market, the firm must constantly innovate rather than simply refining existing product lines.”
Synonyms
Antonyms
02to introduce something specific
C1 · Advanced Academic · Formal
v. to bring in a specific new idea or method for the first time.
v. to introduce a specific novelty or change into an established environment. Transitive use taking the new method or idea as a direct object.
Español:innovar
“The school decided to innovate a new teaching method for science classes.”
“The laboratory sought to innovate a more efficient carbon-capture process that could be scaled for industrial use.”
Usage
The verb can be used both transitively and intransitively.
Pitfall
The company innovated a new phone.
The company innovated with a new phone.
When referring to a specific product, 'innovate' usually takes the preposition 'with' or is used intransitively; 'invent' or 'develop' are better for direct objects.
Real-World Examples
“Throughout the war, as well as relying on Western partners, Ukraine has had to innovate - its home-made drones are responsible for the attacks deep into Russian territory.” “She says the freedom that contests give her to research any topic drives her to innovate.” “As the largest stock market-listed ice cream company in the world, with a market capitalisation of around £8bn, it has the funds to innovate.” Etymology
First attested in 1548; borrowed from Latin innovātus, perfect passive participle of innovō (“to renew”), see -ate (verb-forming suffix).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
VERB
ADJECTIVE
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
- アルファベット
- 読み方の一覧 →
QR code
englishreference.com/q/innovate
Traducciones: Kaikki.org (Wiktionary), CC BY-SA 4.0